Washington DC: The Sadir Affair: The Puppets of Washington, #1

By Lavina Giamusso

It starts with the shooting of Agent Talya Kartz, but where does it end? In the search for justice and truth, Talya must journey halfway across the world to find the man who pulled the trigger - a man who seems to be backed by sinister, all-powerful forces that have their fingers in every pie imaginable, from shady CIA-backed drug and arms deals to warehouses full of faulty armaments in Israel. And masterminding it all is a mysterious genius, known only as The Puppeteer.

And as for Talya's search for truth, a search in which she needs to enlist the aid of the Canadian Secret Service? There is no truth, not in the world in which she finds herself. Washington itself seems to be involved, as is Mossad, who is covering something up, or creating cover for someone. It appears that in this dark, shady realm of secret agents, double-crossing, betrayals and murders there are only layers upon layers of lies, deceptions and masks. To delve into the darkness of this world is to peel back the skin of everything you thought was real - and see the seething underbelly of the underground world that exists below ours.

In The Sadir Affair, the first volume of the thrilling The Puppets of Washington series, you'll be thrown headlong into a riveting, blitzkrieg-paced tale of murder, betrayal, and secret government agencies dealing in all sorts of deceptions, shady deals and lies. Warning - once you crack this action-packed, riveting book open, you won't be able to put it down until you've read every book in the series - and even then you'll still be hungering for more.

Get even better value for money with the new Box-Set, search The Puppets of Washington Box-Set on the Store Search Bar above

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lavina Giamusso
• Release date: May 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533734754

Book preview

PART 1: Resentment

Chapter 1

Her once vibrant, blonde curls lay flaccid around her head like a scarf of despair. Her once lovely face was now the portrait of the all-consuming pain she had endured for the past several months. Looking at the North Shore Mountains from the terrace of her apartment, Talya Kartz was lost in thought, almost absent. She was revisiting the places of her youth; the places where she had found solace amid the tiresome memories of days filled with anger and regret. She spared some thoughts for the man responsible for her misery, a man she had loved, a man who had become an assassin. He could have killed her, but he didn’t. Why? had been the question that had superseded every other since the shooting. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. She loathed the sight of him now. Yet, she wanted to see him again. She wanted to unreel her vengeful torment upon him. The rage she felt was oddly intertwined with the memory of the times they’d spent together—the beaches, the sunshine...

The winter had dragged on forever and she was happy to be outside without a coat or a blanket wrapped around her legs. Confined to a wheelchair, her main pleasure appeared centred on being alone outside. Unable to get out of bed at night, she would roll herself onto the carpet in the early hours of the morning to drag her body to the terrace door. The nurse would find her on the floor, staring at the ocean or asleep, her head leaning against the windowpane.

Her apartment had become her cage. She had concentrated mainly on learning to move about without the use of her legs as much as was possible. Ultimately, she had given up on the idea and got used to her wheelchair, although she still preferred sitting on the ground when she was alone. It was as if the floor or the barren ground gave her a sense of vitality, absorbing her pain and restoring her will to live.

I’m home! What’s for dinner? Aziz erupted jokingly, as he came through the door late that evening. Hearing no response, he rushed to the terrace. There, Talya was again; sitting on the ground, her back against the stone wall, watching the ocean. What are you doing here? I thought you had gone out. Come on, let’s get you inside. It’s getting cold.

Talya looked up at him but didn’t reply.

Come on, Milady, I’ve got your favourite pizza for dinner…

Returning her gaze to the ocean, Is swimming good for me? Talya asked.

I’d say so. It’s a muscle stimulant, but you know that. They’ve put you in the pool at the hospital many times.

Yeah, but that’s not the same as really swimming, is it?

No, it isn’t. I’m sure by the summer; you’ll be able to go swimming.

Can we go now?

Now? I don’t think so. You need to get a little stronger before you venture in open waters, maty. Remember your legs won’t help you anymore.

I know, I know, but I thought we could go to Second Beach in the kiddies pool. I just want the feel of the water around my body. Can you understand what I’m saying, Aziz?

Talya extended her left arm, grabbed the cushion of the wheelchair, lugged herself to where she could hold onto the armrest, and heaved her body into the seat. Beads of sweat pearled on her forehead while Aziz turned her hips into the chair.

I need to be somewhere where having legs doesn’t matter. Somewhere I could move without having to manoeuvre a stupid wheelchair and somewhere no one needs to help me lie down, get up, or roll around.

Okay, let’s plan something for next weekend, okay? Aziz suggested.

One of her rare smiles appeared on her face. Aziz could have lifted her to the sky for one of those smiles. He waited every hour of every day now to see a smidgen of pleasure light up her face.

What kind of pizza did you get? Talya asked, wheeling herself to the kitchen.

Mushroom and cheese, and I bought a tin of anchovies.

Talya looked up at him in surprise. She loved anchovies but he hated them.

I know, I know, I don’t like them, but I thought I could put some on half of the pizza and I’ll eat the other half…

You didn’t have to do that! I love pizza anyway. She shrugged and turned her chair around. Whatever...

The smile had disappeared. The joy or the promise of better times had dissipated once again. Aziz shook his head and watched her roll her chair back in the direction of the terrace.

Aziz was reaching a point where he did not know what to do to please her anymore. Yet nothing displeased her; the neutrality, the idleness, the irresponsiveness, the inertia were the most unnerving to him.

Strictly speaking, Talya was not Dr. Aziz Hendrix’s patient. She had been his lover, friend and companion for some three years. He had seen her reduced to a mangled and frail invalid, literally shrivelling in size, while her mind focused only on mastering the art of indifference.

Talya used to be a fighter. She used to battle her way through life, but this battle she was not fighting it. The surgeons, physiotherapists, nurses, and medication were fighting it for her. If her treating psychologist had asked him if Talya was suicidal, Aziz would have said no. To him, she had no desire to kill herself, but would she eat or drink if no one was there to feed her? He didn’t think so. Now that she was able to go out, drive her ‘racing wheels’—the nickname she had given to her motorized chair—to the shops and stores, or even take a bus, Aziz had yet to see her pass through the front door of her apartment of her own accord. It was as if she had decided to shut the world out.

After dinner, Aziz went home as usual, once he had put Talya to bed. The nurse would be there in the morning to take care of her for a few hours and leave her after lunch. He would come back at night. That routine had been going on for months, and Aziz was getting tired of it. As much as he loved Talya, he didn’t think he could continue looking after her now that she was well on her way to becoming independent — if she wanted to be.

Chapter 2

Captain Khalid Sahab, as friends and acquaintances knew him, was an inveterate pilot. He had lived at the Hotel de Crillon on the Place de la Concorde since his father died many years ago. Although not flaunting his noble background at anyone’s face, Khalid was an Arab fellow who enjoyed the Parisian life and the luxury that came with his blue blood ancestry. Not a pretentious man by any means, Khalid had an acute sense of his fellow human beings. He was intelligent, well educated—in England—and he displayed a deep-seated wisdom. Tall and handsome, he was not flirtatious or even interested in befriending the opposite sex. Originally raised as a Touareg, his beliefs led him to maintain his distances from women. His greying hair at the temples revealed his age and when people saw him in the company of his daughter, Aisha, they somehow gathered that he was serious about his family ties and beyond the age of chasing the alluring Parisian skirts.

He had been thrown in the midst of an international affair  two years ago, which had almost ruined him financially and had left him emotionally scarred. He had met Talya at a time she was herself in deep trouble. Together they evaded their enemies and thwarted or even foiled the operations of a drug lord in France while uncovering an arms’ trafficking ring spanning three continents.

He deplored Talya’s injuries. He knew that, ultimately, she had blamed him for what happened. She had been shot, and his absence at the time had made it all the worst for him and for her. He had left her to her own device in Miami and he knew the move had ignited a pursuit by a Mossad agent that ended up in disaster.

He had not heard from Talya in many months. He’d phoned James Flaubert, her boss and founder of Carmine Resources, on many occasions. James had told him she wanted to see no one and she lived a secluded life now.

Khalid was again reminiscing of the happy times he had spent with Talya when the phone on his desk rang and startled him back to the present.

Yes, Marie, what is it? Khalid answered tersely.

"A Dr. Hendrix is on the line for you, Capitaine. Shall I put him through?" the woman replied quietly.

Yes, Marie, please.

Khalid? Aziz asked as soon as he heard the phone being picked up.

Yes, Aziz. How can I help you?

No, not me, Khalid—you’ll never be able to help me—it’s Talya who needs your help.

Paying no heed to Aziz’s comments, How is she? Khalid asked.

Physically, as well as can be expected, but psychologically, she is irresponsive.

What do you mean with ‘irresponsive’?

I guess you’ve lost your perspicacity while ignoring your friends…

Khalid was reaching the point of annoyance very quickly. Aziz had put him on the defensive. All right, and what do you want me to do about it? She wouldn’t even pickup the phone when I tried calling her. She does not want to see me—you know that!

She might not pickup the phone, but if she knows you’re at her doorsteps, she’ll see you. I’m sure of it.

What makes you think so?

Khalid, don’t play games with me. I know you’re still in love with her and if anyone can get her out of that bubble of hers, it’s you.

Listen to me, Aziz. Let’s say I get her out of her torpor and she finally starts living a normal life again; what would happen if she decides to come back to Paris with me? Because that’s a possibility. Have you thought of it?

I would prefer seeing her going to Paris with you for ever—if that’s what she wants—than seeing her the way she is now.

All right. Let me make some arrangements and I’ll contact you with an arrival date.

Thank you, Khalid.

I hope that was as sincere as your plea on her behalf was, Khalid said.

Yes, it was. Yet, I would like to hear the story from your lips one day.

By all means, Aziz, you should.

When Khalid hung up, he was thrilled. Not only because he was going to see Talya again, but because he was finally going to be able to open the book that had been closed too soon in his opinion.

Chapter 3

Sabrina the receptionist announced that Khalid was on the line.

Good morning, James, Khalid replied to James’s quick and frosty greeting.

Good of you to call again, the president of Carmine Resources replied stretching his lanky frame to the back of the chair.

I am not going to ask you to give me the latest report on Talya’s recovery. I know you’re tired of giving me the same answer. That was true; James no longer knew how to tell Khalid that Talya didn’t want any visitor or that she seemed to be retreating into a solitary world. The reason for my call is simply to inform you that I should be in Vancouver the day after tomorrow.

James passed his fingers through his wavy, grey hair. Should I be concerned…?

No, not at all. Dr Hendrix is the one who called me and asked for my assistance.

To do what? James asked.

He thinks I could help Talya in getting her out of her self-imposed seclusion.

It’s not only seclusion, Khalid, that’s ailing Talya. You must realize it’s much more than that.

Yes, I do realize it, and this is perhaps why I want to see for myself what can be done about it, if anything.

Are you a psychiatrist now? The obvious scoff had its roots in James knowing that Khalid was a good judge of character. He had seen him handle Talya’s difficult traits on many occasions, but this was different; Talya was drowning into some sort of lethargy, from which she didn’t want to come out.

Khalid chuckled. No, James, I couldn’t begin to pretend to have such knowledge of the human mind, yet and maybe, I could look into the reason for Talya’s wilful retreat.

Okay, if you think your presence will make a difference, I’m all for it, of course. Do you want me to tell her you’re coming?

No! The word resounded over the line loud and clear. The firmness in Khalid’s voice took James aback. I’m sorry, James, but I don’t want her to know that I come to her aid. She would not react well.

Very well then, when should I expect you? And where will you be staying?

I should be at your office on Wednesday and I have made reservations at the Sands for now.

Wouldn’t you prefer staying at the 4 Seasons…?

No, not this time. I need to be in walking distance of her apartment.

Quite. I understand.

Replacing the receiver, James thought of the first time Khalid came to Vancouver; it was again when Talya needed someone to help her—out of a depression.

Chapter 4

Samuel Meshullam was a man of means. He lived comfortably, had money to spare although no one had ever heard him talk about his job—if he held one, no one knew. He lived in a house at the edge of the ocean and abutting a ‘reserve’ or park in Manly, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. His dark hair and sharp facial features, partially hidden under a shadowy beard, told of the man’s strength of character. His eyes darted at the smallest noise. He seemed to be on the alert all the time. His neighbours had tried to befriend him when he first moved to the area, but he’d soon distanced himself from everyone. By all accounts, the man didn’t like company. He often walked across the park, crossed the little bridge and made his way to a secluded beach bordering yet another reserve. He was used to walking traveling long distances and preferred traveling on foot to using any mode of transport, even though he owned a sports car, which he used mostly to travel to Melbourne or other towns north or south of the city.

Although no one had ever seen him go to work, Samuel had an occupation, which paid him very well. He was a consultant; a man that you hired when you needed a job done — and done well. His kind of consulting was not in high demand, but one contract could see him living in the lap of luxury for years. Besides, Samuel had no parents or family to encumber his life with questions or queries as to his means of living or even lifestyle. Perhaps, the only characteristic that could distinguish Samuel from many other fellows was that he had been trained and was now in Mossad’s employ: the Israeli equivalent of the American CIA.

The reason he was currently living in Sydney or in Australia for that matter, apart from the fact that he had been born and raised in Melbourne, was that he was now in hiding and would remain so until ‘further orders’.

His last job had seen him shooting a woman in Vancouver. He was already back in Sydney when he’d learned that his target had nearly died from his bullet, which was exactly what had been required of him. He had been assigned to ‘slow the woman down’ but not to kill her. Like him, Talya Kartz was Jewish, and killing a Jewess would not only have weighed heavily on his conscience, but would have put him in God’s bad books—if there were such a thing.

Of course, the police and various intelligence agencies on two continents had been on his tail since the incident, which had occurred seven months ago, to no avail. Not only was Samuel a master of disguise, but Mossad had always covered his tracks very well. As a result, he was now free to roam as he pleased in a country he loved.

The fall months in Australia were now upon the countryside  and the accompanying tranquillity of autumn seemed to appease Samuel’s keenness.

Sitting on a towel at the water’s edge, he thought of Talya. They had been friends once. And lovers. She had a head of white-blond, curly hair, deep blue eyes and a smile that had shaken him to the core. He had really enjoyed looking at her or being with her again when they had traveled together for a couple of hours in the States. From the time she lived in Australia, he remembered her spunk, her kindness and her determination. That last trait of character had landed her in a wheelchair now, he was sure, and for that, Samuel was sorry, deeply repentant in fact. He had never allowed the emotions that his job would arise in him to deter him from accomplishing his various assignments or to cloud his judgement. Yet, on this occasion, Talya’s beauty and inner strength had touched him in ways he could not even comprehend.

He looked at the waves rolling gently onto the beach for a few more minutes before getting up, making his way into the water and diving into the ocean. He swam to a rocky ledge nearby and heaved himself onto it. He recalled Talya loved to swim, and he would have enjoyed having her at his side at that very moment.

Chapter 5

Alerted of Khalid’s latest travel plans, Pierre Masson, the pilot, and John Viblickovitzian, the navigator, were waiting for the prince to board his Lear jet.

Good morning, gentlemen, Khalid said, poking his head at the cockpit’s door.

Good morning, Khalid, the two men replied in unison.

Pilot and navigator were a team. They had been in Khalid’s employ since he bought the Lear—correction—since his uncle had bought the aircraft for him. Talk about a rich uncle had been Talya’s first comment when Khalid had told her of uncle Abdullah Saif Al-Fadir’s gift. Khalid would never forget her reaction that evening.

He smiled at the two men at the controls and nodded. Let’s get her off the ground then, Khalid said, closing the cockpit’s door and going to sit down in one of the six seats that furnished the comfortable cabin.

He knew this journey would take about six hours’ flying-time before they would land in Ottawa. Khalid had arranged to meet with Fred Gibson at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service before flying to Vancouver. He wanted to get an update on Mossad’s movements since Talya’s accident. However, Fred Gibson had probably closed the file on what they had called ‘The Ben Slimane Affair’, and had resumed their normal course of business—if ‘normal’ could ever describe the running of an intelligence agency.  The year before, Talya had stumbled onto this hornets’ nest, which consisted in the exchange of drugs for weapons; weapons that had ended in the hands of Israelis in Gaza. The head of this government-sanctioned operation had been none other than a CIA undercover agent, and alleged traitor, by the name of Ben Slimane. Shortly before Talya being shot, Slimane’s death had seen the end of this sordid business.

The Lear needed to make a refueling stop somewhere between Paris and Vancouver, and Ottawa seemed to be the best place to do that—less air traffic and quicker service.

Chapter 6

Sitting at the table of the conference room, Fred Gibson and Namlah Badawee, his legal advisor in international law, were waiting for Khalid’s arrival. Fred was a down-to-earth man. Of Afro-American descent, the pleated lines of his face, large, black eyes and burly stature would remind anyone looking at him of Louis Armstrong. He was not the most astute or clever of men, but he surrounded himself with the best agents in the land. His strength of character and inner wilfulness had seen him climb the rungs of the intelligence agency’s ladder at a steady and unrelenting pace. Through his fatherly, yet firm attitude, he had gained the respect of his peers both in Canada and abroad. Although no longer a young man, he could run the best off the race.

As for Namlah Badawee, a name meaning ‘nomad ant’ in Arabic, he was an unassuming fellow. His value to the agency resided in his knowledge of international law. He was the one who had put Fred on the scent of Ben Slimane’s treason while the latter was working for the CIA.

Escorted by Fred’s secretary, Khalid strode into the conference room, and faced the two men who stood up as he entered.

Welcome to Canada once again, Your Highness, Fred said, extending a hand for Khalid to shake. I would have hoped this meeting to be held under better circumstances; nevertheless, it is still a pleasure to seeing you again.

Shaking Fred’s hand, Khalid replied, Thank you, sir, looking at each man in turn.

Namlah had not pronounced a word yet. "Sabahol-khayer, (good morning) Mr. Badawee," Khalid added in Arabic.

"Ahlan wa sahlan (welcome), Prince Khalid," Namlah uttered visibly preoccupied, which attitude puzzled the prince.

They sat down. Khalid reclined in the chair and crossed his legs. As I said on the phone, Mr. Gibson, the reason for my visit is simple; I would like to know if there has been any recent development in Mossad’s activities of which you would be aware, of course.

Fred stretched his forearms over the table and continued fiddling with his pen. We have closed the file on this affair, as you know, Your Highness. Officially, Ms Kartz’s shooting tied our hands and the government didn’t see the need to take the case further, since it could have led to an international incident, not only with our neighbor but with Israel, which no one wanted.

Yes, I expected such an answer, Mr. Gibson. Yet, I am sure that unofficially you have kept an eye on their movements, am I right?

Looking slightly uncomfortable, Namlah nodded to Fred before he said, You are quite right, sir. We have been aware of certain parties resuming their activities in the CIA. Our sources have informed us that the exchange of drugs for armaments in South America, in particular…

They are skirting the issue, Khalid thought.

What about Mossad? Khalid cut in. Do you know of anyone picking up where Slimane left off?

Again, the chief and his lawyer exchanged conspiratorial glances. No, not exactly, Fred said. Khalid unfolded his legs, slid the chair closer to the table and put his elbows and forearms on it. We have not been able to trace anyone infiltrating the CIA since last fall, but we have received reports from Australia, that a man corresponding to Isaac Whittlestein’s description is now living in a suburb of Sydney under another name. As you know he’s the only link we could establish between Ben Slimane and Mossad.

I am glad to hear that you have followed my suggestion to trace the man in Australia. Khalid smiled with satisfaction. And what is the man doing now? If you know...

Nothing, Your Highness, Namlah replied.

I see. He’s dormant then? But I should think this hibernation will only last for a while longer.

Fred nodded. My thoughts exactly, Your Highness.

Embarrassed, Namlah lowered his head. He raised it to say, "You see, sir, it is my opinion that Mossad is waiting for you to make a move."

That statement took Khalid by surprise. Me? Could you explain how you came to that conclusion, Mr. Badawee?

By all means. Mossad, as we know, is Israel’s eyes and ears. They are looking for an excuse to spark an incident that would reignite ill feelings between Saudi Arabia and its allies. The Middle East has an infected wound at Gaza. Since Hamas took control of the strip, the area is a disaster waiting to happen. In my opinion, should the conflict worsen, Geneva would need to take a firm stand and enforced a cease-fire between Palestinians and Israeli forces.

I understand. But how do I fit into this?

Mossad would love nothing more than for you to rekindle your relationship with Ms Kartz, thereby demonstrating your affinity or your ties with Israel. This, in turn, would show that Saudi Arabia is befriending an enemy of Islam and would engender an array of questions on the part of its neighbours.

Khalid had listened to these warning words with sadness in his heart. The only thing he wanted to do at present was to help the woman he loved. His birthright or his faith, or even the political backdrop that had been part of his existence to date, were only asides, hurdles in his pursuit of happiness. Mossad had indeed an ace up their sleeve. They had been playing with Talya’s life, hoping he, Khalid Saif Al-Fadir, would join her once again. They wanted to use them for political reasons; reasons that could result in international tension, not to say war in the Middle East.

Khalid knew that his staying away from Vancouver had been the right decision initially. However, now Talya needed him. She had not called for him to help her, yet he knew he could get her on her feet, so to speak, and get her back to working and enjoying life again.

I appreciate your frankness, gentlemen. My family owes you a great deal for your foresight, Mr. Badawee. Nevertheless, I feel an obligation toward the woman whose deliberate pursuit for justice has resulted in her being chased like an animal and ultimately being shot. At this point, I don’t know what my decision will be. According to your conclusions, if I were to show myself on Ms Kartz’s doorsteps, it would demonstrate to the Middle East community that my family is entertaining some sort of relations with Israel, thereby reigniting resentments on the part of my country’s allies.

Yes, that sums it up pretty well, Fred agreed with emphasis. But this is only a conclusion that we have drawn from keeping an eye on the situation in and around Gaza. Your family has not taken a stand in this conflict. It has stayed impartial and unwilling to take sides, which is totally in character, actually. Yet, we would be remiss in our relations with you and the Saudi royal family if we did not advise you of the possible consequences a visit with Ms Kartz would have, should you choose to go to Vancouver.

A short time later, the official car took Khalid to his hotel where he had reserved rooms for himself, Pierre and John. They had arranged to meet for dinner at the restaurant, but as Khalid closed the door of